What To Know About New Senate GOP Leader
As Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) prepares to take charge of a Republican-controlled Senate, a new poll reveals that many Americans remain unfamiliar with the South Dakota lawmaker. According to a survey by The Economist and YouGov, half of Republican voters, as well as a majority of the general public, have little to no knowledge of Thune, despite his recent promotion to the position in mid-November.
The poll, which was conducted between December 29 and 31, found that 56 percent of respondents do not know enough about Thune to form an opinion. Among those who are familiar with the senator, 19 percent expressed a favorable view, while 25 percent held an unfavorable opinion of him. This shows that Thune, though a well-established figure in the Senate, still has significant work to do in building recognition and support among the American electorate.
In his first speech as Majority Leader, Thune emphasized his commitment to protecting the Senate’s long-standing traditions, particularly the filibuster. He stressed that preserving this legislative tool would be crucial in maintaining the Senate’s role as a deliberative body—a concept grounded in the vision of the nation’s Founders. “One of my priorities as leader will be to ensure that the Senate stays the Senate,” Thune declared.
The new Senate leader also outlined key policy goals for the Republican agenda. Among these were bolstering defense spending, addressing the crisis at the southern border, extending the Trump-era tax cuts, and advancing deregulation efforts to invigorate the economy.
Comparing Thune’s favorability to his predecessor, Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), the poll revealed that McConnell’s approval has sharply declined. Only 18 percent of Americans view McConnell favorably, with 60 percent expressing disapproval. This stark contrast highlights the challenges ahead for Thune as he seeks to unite the GOP and lead the Senate into a new era.
The survey, which polled 1,552 U.S. adults, carries a margin of error of 3.4 percent.